Motorists face mobile phone ban

Ministers today paved the way for a fresh clampdown on motorists with proposals to ban the use of mobile phones while driving.

Transport Minister David Jamieson is to launch a 12-week public consultation which could result in making the practice a specific offence - a major policy U-turn.

At present drivers can only be prosecuted under catch-all careless driving laws. As recently as May Mr Jamieson said: "As far as actually formulating a law, I can't see it, unless there is some new technology for detection."

In 2000 a road safety White Paper said: "It has been argued that using a mobile phone should be a specific offence. At present we do not believe that it warrants legislation." A transport department spokeswoman said today that ministers were acting after new research showed drivers using mobiles were four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

The move follows intense pressure from safety campaigners, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The spokeswoman said: "We are trying to gauge people's views on whether an outright ban is the way forward to improve road safety." She said Mr Jamieson's remarks in May referred to hands-free kits, which would not be included in the proposed ban.

At present some 35 countries have banned the practice. Of these the majority, such as Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Israel, Jordan and South Africa, have only banned hand-held phones. Portugal and some parts of India have included hands-free phones.

The AA today hit out at the government proposals. A spokeswoman said: "Using a mobile while driving is dangerous and we strongly advise against it. However, we already have laws under which it is covered."

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "This is part of the campaign to try to reduce accidents and prevent death on the roads. We have seen in the various surveys that there is an increase in people using phones while they are driving."